Tile molding machine



Jan. 19,.1954 PESSAGNO 2,666,246

TILE MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l a *I 20 44 45 2 I 5 Zhmentor Jan. 19, 1954 J. PESSAGNO 2,666,246

TILE MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 51, 1952 5 Shees-Sheet 2 Snnentor Fig. 3

Jan. 19, 1954 J. PESSAGNO TILE MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Smaentor Fllg. 6

amq W Jan. 19, 1954 J. PESSAGNO 2,666,246

TILE MOLDING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1952 5 Sheets-Shea, 4

3 Zhwentor u g 1 Fi F4 /2 114/; f p /Vb J. PESSAGNO 2,666,246

TILE MOLDING MACHINE Jan. 19, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 31, 1952 j '46 44 0 54 & 47 77 77 75: f 75 i i 4/ I 39 757 Q 77 4 4-7 g 54 O 44 8 46 /4 3nnentor 20 Fig. 5 4

Patented Jan. 19, 1954 assigns ,QUNITEDWSTATES sATENT OFFICE Substituted for abandoned application Serial No. 25,147, May 5, 1948. This application May 31, 1952, Serial No. 290,869

2 Claims. (01. 25-42) This application is a substitute for my forfeited application, Serial No. 25,147, filed May 5, 1948. I

This invention relates to improvements in tile molding machines, and has for its principal object the provision of a machine adapted tothe accurate and rapid production of tiles of uniform shape and consistency.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine having novel means of adjustrnent, formaintaining accurate alignment and relationship of its cooperating parts.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine in which the moving parts are adequately balanced, in order to eliminate any undue load on the driving mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine having an interrupted pressing action adapted to ensure a non-porous product.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine having self-cleaning, tile trimming means.

The above and other objects will become apparent during the course of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which:

l is a'vertical section coincident with the lon itudinal median plane of the machine.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section taken on line .2- -2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevation as viewed from line iii-*3 of Figure 1, parts being broken away, and other parts being shown in section.

Figure l a sectional view of the crown of the machine, and is complementary to Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail of the eccentric strap and its connection.

Figure 6 is an end elevational as viewed from line 6- 5 of Figure 1, parts being broken away,

Figure 13 is an elevation as Viewed irom line to Figure 1.

Figure '15 is a horizontal section taken on line l5|5. of'Figure 8.

Figure 16 is an enlarged end elevation of the knife supporting frame.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that all of the parts of the device are supported or housed by opposed columns as and it, which are maintained in spaced and aligned relationship by a crown casting 22 and tie rods 23, complete with spacers 24. The crown casting 22 bridges columns it and 2t, fits snugly over the upper ends thereof, and is firmly secured thereto by means ofstuds 25, as is clearly indicated on Figure 14. The tie rods 23, with spacers 24, are arranged in horizontal coplanar and parallel relationship, adjacent to-the base of the columns 26 and zl.

I Columns 20 and 2!, which are shell type castings, are provided with inspection openings 2% and 27 respectively, these openings being normally closed by sheet metal covers, not indicated. Column 2!, adjacent its upper end, is constructed with a horizontally projecting annular section 23, which in cooperation with an attached cover 29, forms the housing for a reduction mechanism by means of which the machine is driven.

As the reduction mechanism, which is or" the compound epicyclic type, is well known, no nseful purpose will be served by further describing it herein. A shelf 3% is provided on the cover 29 for supporting a motor, not shown, which furnishes motive power for the machine through belted connection with pulley 3i.

The columnsZfi and 2t are relieved of any undue stress, during operation or" the machine, by means of vertically disposed tie rods 32 and 33 which are attached to upper and lower portions ofthe columns, and are given an initial stress at assembly. One tie rod 32, in each of the columns, is-made in two sections, having a centrally disposed threaded sleeve to. This arrangement facilitates adjustment, and assembly and dis1nant-ling of the machine.

Columns 23 andzl are-further provided with laterally extending housings 35 and respectively, which are detachably mounted thereon, and serve to mount and house the tile trimming mechanisin'of the machine. The housings 35 and 35 are disposed in spaced and aligned relationship relative to one another. Inspection openings closed by sheet metal covers 33, are provided in the housings 35 and 36.

The machine as a whole comprises a number of cooperating sub-assemblies, each of which will be described in turn.

Reciprocating press The reciprocating press comprises a rectangular box shaped member 3!! consisting of upper and lower attached sections 40 and 4! respectively. The press is constructed in sections for assembly purposes, and is secured together, in accurate ali nment, by mean of bolts 42 and dowels 43. lhe press 39 is adapted to reciprocate between columns 20 and 21, axially coincident with a median vertical plane between the columns, and centrally disposed relative to a vertical center line thereto. It is held in place laterally by the contiguous restraining surfaces 34 of the columns 20 and 2|, and is maintained in alignment longitudinally by means of guides 45, bolted to the surfaces 44. In order to compensate for wear, and maintain accurate alignment, guides are provided with adjusting screws 46, which engage lugs 47 on the columns 26] and 2i, and which are locked at adjustment by nuts 48.

A horizontal roller 49, axially coincident with the longitudinal vertical median plane of the press 39, is rotatably mounted intermediate the bottom of the lower section 4! by means of ball bearing 50. A main drive shaft 5] operably connected to the aforementioned gear reduction mechanism by ring gear 52, is rotatab-ly mounted between, and su ported by aligned bearings 53 fitted adjacent the upper ends of columns 29 and 2!. Shaft 5| passes through, and is coincidental with the vertical center line of press 39. Vertically elongated clearance openings 54, are provided in press 39, to allow unrestricted rotation of the shaft '5! and reciprocating motion of the press. A pressing cam 55, fixedly mounted on shaft 5!, is adapted to engage roller 43 as will be described herein.

Suspended within the Walls of the upper sections All of the press 39, adjacent the top thereof, is a lifting roller support 55. Support 55 comprises a casting having a pair of aligned, upstanding mounting lugs 5'1, and a pair of ali ned, depending'roller supporting flanges 58, axially perpendicular to the lugs 51. A shaft passing through lugs 51, is adjustably mounted by means of clamps Bil and studs Al to opposite walls of the press 39, as is clearly indncated on Figure 8.

Pivotal movement of the support '56 is prevented by means of straps 62 which extend in spaced and parallel relationship across the top of section to as can be seen on Figures 1 and 2, and which are disposed one on either side of and parallel with, shaft 59. Straps 62 are secured to the section All by means of belts 63, and set screws '54, passing through the center of the straps 52, bear firmly against the support 56, and preclude any tendency of the latter to pivot on the axis of shaft 59.

It will be apparent that with the afore-described mounting arrangement, vertical adjustment of support 55, relative to press 39, can be readily effected. Rotatably mounted in opposed and aligned relationship, on the inner faces of flanges 58, by means of trunnions 55, are a pail of identical lifting rollers 66. A pair of lifting cams 61 disposed one on either SiQQ Qi 93 1 55, and doweled and bolted thereto, are arranged for rotation therewith, and are adapted to cooperate with rollers 56.

During the revolution of the shaft 51, and the fixedly mounted cams 55 and til, the press 39 will be urged in a downward direction during that part of the cycle when the radially extended portion 68, of cam 55, is in contact with the roller 49, and will then be urged in an upward direction by contact of the radially extended portion 59 of the identical cams El with the rollers 66. The contours of the cams 6i and the cam 55 are so formed as to provide perfect synchronization of their related functions.

It will be noted on Figure 8 that the portion 68 of the cam 55 is provided with a recess 19, adapted to interrupt the downward travel of the press 39, and also that diametrically opposed to this recess, the lifting cams Bl are provided with a projecting point ll, adapted to momentarily reverse the downward travel of the press 39. The point H is preferably provided by a hardened steel insert F2, as shown on Figure 9 as this part is subjected to undue wear. The purpose of this feature will be described with the operation of the machine.

The roller 49 is provided with an oil bath as shown on Figure 8, and an aperture 73 is fitted with an oil level indicator, which has been omitted from the drawing in the interest of clarity. Inspection covers 13 preclude the entrance of dust or other extraneous matter from entry into the interior of the press 39.

Upper die attachment The upper die, which has not been indicated on the drawings, is attached to a plate 14 by means of four downwardly projecting studs 15. The studs I5 engage tapped holes in the plate M and are locked therein by means of lock-nuts iii. Extending upwardly, the studs 15 pass loosely through lugs ll, projecting from the sides of the press 39, as shown on Figures 8 and 15, and provide a means of vertical adjustment and prevent downward displacement of the plate l l. Interposed between the upper surface of the plate 14, and the lower surface of the press 39, which is machined at an acute angle to the horizontal, is an adjustable complementary wedge 18 which is manipulated by means of a spindle 19 complete with hand wheel 86. The spindle can be locked against inadvertent operation by means of a clamp 19, which fits over the spindle and is prevented from turning by being secured to the spindle collar bracket which in turn is secured to the end of the wedge 13.

A machined recess 8|, in the lower surface of the plate 14, ensures accurate alignment of the upper die laterally, while set screws 82 passing through wedge guide flanges as, on press 3t, provide longitudinal adjustment.

By manipulation of the wedge and its related adjusting elements, tiles of various selected weights or thicknesses can be produced.

Counterbalancing mechanism In order to ensure smoothness of operation, the weight of the reciprocating press has been counterbalanced by means of a pair of weights 84, mounted for movement within the columns 20 and 2!. One weight is mounted in each column, and as their functions are identical, one description will cover both.

A lever 85 pivotally mounted on a centrally disposed pin 85, in its respective column 2i! and 2|, is pivotally attached at its longer end to the upper end of the weight 8 The short end of the lever 85 is pivotally attached to the lower end of a pitman 8? which in turn has its upper end pivotally attached to the press 39 by means of a stud 88. A vertically elongated slot 83, through the wall of the column, allows for unrestricted motion of the stud 88.

Movement of the lower end of the Weight 8 5 is controlled by pivotal connection with a link at which in turn is pivotally mounted on the column by means of a stub shaft 9|.

It will be apparent that as the lever 35 has its fulcrum between the connecting points with weight fi l on one side, and the pitman Bl and Lower die holder The lower die holder comprises a drum $2 having a section or polygonal form, fixedly mounted on a rotatable shaft 93 which is journaled in bearings 534 similar to bearings 53. Shaft se is situated below shaft 5i and is parallel to and vertically coplanar therewith. Housed within column 29, and fixedly mounted 'on the protruding end of shaft s3 is a Geneva wheel 55 having operating slots 95, equal in number to the sides of the polygonal drum 92, the of the slots 93 beingradially coincident with the longest radial dimensions of drum 92. Also housed within the column 2% is a gear 9? which is fixedly mounted on the protruding end of shaft 54 and which meshes with a second gear 98 of the same pitch diameter. Gear 93 is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 39 fixedly secured in the column 25;, intermediate shafts 5i and as and parallel to and in vertical alignment therewith.

A roller its, journaled on a stub shaft mi projecting from the outer face of gear'ilt, is adapted to successively engage the slots 85 of the wheel at and impart intermittent motion thereto. An interrupted, concentric annular flange H32 extending outwardly from gear'QS is adapted to successively engage a plurality of arcuate' sections 553 which extend between the slots 96, and are complementary to the flange H32. When the roller ltd engages a slot 95, the

gap in the flange iilZallows the wheel 95 to turn.

Drum locking mechanism While the engagement of flange ill? with the arcuate portions E33 oi the wheel 95 prevents turning of the latter, a small amount of backlash is bound to occur. This back-lash is detrimental to the production of uniform tiles, and must be prevented. I accomplish this by providing a positive locking device which absolutely precludes any movement of the drum 92 during the pressing or molding operation.

Housed within the column 25, and fixedly mounted on the protruding end of shaft 53 is a flanged locking wheel lee. Tapered slots it! are cut in the flange of the wheel Hit, and are equal in number and in diametrically opposed radial alignment with the slots 96 in the wheel at; Mounted in vertical radial alignment with the wheel Hill is a locking bar we, having its lower end I99 formed complementary to the slots 13?, and adapted for successive engagement and disengagement therewith. The bar is slidably mounted upon a vertically disposed plane surface Illl on the column 2! and is restrained by guides Ill bolted thereto, which permit of its vertical reciprocal motion. Guide liners H2 are provided to compensate for wear.

The locking bar it isactuated downwardly by a push-rod H3 adapted to slide in a bushing i it, and which has its lower end in contact with the upper end of the bar. The bushing li t is securely mounted in a transverse web H5 extending across the inside of the column 2!. A pin lit extendsthrough the upper portion of the push-rod H3, and has mounted, one on either end, a pair of identical rollers ill. Twin cams H8, fixedly mounted on shaft 5!, straddle the upper end of the push-rod the rollers Ill.

Upward motion of the locking bar A33 is effected by a pair of pull-rods i it, slldably mounted in sleeves I29, and connected at their upper and lower ends by yokes i2! and 522 respectively. The upper yoke 52! carries a second pair of cam engaging rollers i23 similar to rollers ill, while the lower yoke passes through the bifurcated end i2 1 of the locking bar H38, and is attached. thereto by means of a pin 525 which'passes through both members.

It will be apparent from a study of Figure 6 that during a part of the cycle of the cams H5, push-rod H3 will maintain the locking bar 563 in one of the aligned slots lll'l, and as the cam continues to revolve, the push-rod will be released and the pull-rods He will be actuated by l i 3 and engage contact between the cams i i ii and the rollers its,

thereby leaving the drum 92 free to revolve under the impetus of its actuating members.

Trimming mechanism During the molding operation a quantity of surplus clay is squeezed from bett-reen the dies, and this material must be removed before the formed product is sent to the kiln. I do this automatically by means of mechanism operated in synchronized relationship with the other functions of the machine.

Mounted in opposed relationship on the adja cent outer walls of housings 35 and are a pair of matched roller tracks 525, fitted with wear compensating liners I21. The tracks, which are in coplanar relationship have a section E28 which extends in a vertical path. A second section We follows a path which is radial to one of the faces of the drum 92 when its adjacent face is in the horizontal position as shown on Figure 8. The transition from one path to the other is eifected by a relatively easy curve 36. The track lZt is of channel section, as can be seen on Figure 10, and roller receiving grooves l3l are cut into the inner facing sides of the track and liner.

Mounted between the tracks, perpendicular thereto, is a knife supporting frame i322, of rectangular form, having two pair of lugs E33 extending from the upper side thereof, and a single pair of opposed lugs I34 depending from the lower side. A pitman H5 is pivotally mounted between each pair of the upper lugs l 33 by means of pins I36, which carry on their outer projecting ends, track engaging rollers 13?. A second pair of track engaging rollers I38 is carried by the lower lugs 134. .As the alignment between the rollers l3! and 138 is perpendicular to the frame I32 it will be apparent that the frame will always be in perpendicular relationship to that portion of the track contained between the said pair of rollers. At one end of its stroke it will occupy the position indicated in solid lines on Figure 8, while at the other extremity it will occupy the position indicated in phantom thereon.

An oscillatory shaft isinounted in, and extends between the housings 35 and 38, being journaled in bearings Hi9. A pair of spaced and aligned cranks Ml, fixedly mounted upon shaft I39, are pivotally connected at their free ends to the upper ends of the pitmans i35. Contained within housing 55 and fixedly mounted on the protruding end of shaft 439, is a clevised crank hi2 which is resiliently and operably connected to an eccentric strap M3. Details of the resilient connection, which are shown on Figure comprise an adiustably extensible rod Hi4 having an eye M5 on the clevis connecting end, and a spring contacting shoulder M3 on the eccentric strap end. The shoulder Me is housed within a hollow extension is? of the strap I43. A threaded bushing i 53 having a compression spring 149 between it and the shoulder H6, completes the assembly. It will be obvious that as the eccentric strap moves away from the clevis, the spring will effect a yielding pull upon the rod Me.

The strap M3 is mounted on, and actuated by, an eccentric sheave loll which is bolted to, and driven by the gear 93. Elongated slots 15 i in the gear til allow for a certain amount of angular adjustment between the eccentric sheave I50 and the gear, this provision assuring timed relationship for tiles of different thicknesses requiring different knife settings.

The trimming knife i552 is resiliently and adjustably mounted on the frame 132 by means of an attaching flange-i 53. Spring enclosed studs H54 resiliently connect the flange Hi3 and the frame 532, and set screws 5E5, engaging lugs Hill on the frame :32, maintain the knife 1-52 in aligned relationship with the lower dies.

The frame I32 is symmetrical about both center lines as can be seen from Figure 13; in Figure 8, however, the section has been taken through a connecting stud 854 on the upper half, while on the lower half, the section plane intersects one of the lugs Hi5.

The resilient mounting of the knife 552, and the resilient connection between the crank it? and eccentric strap 543, ensure a positive cutting action while precluding any destructive pressure between the knife and the die.

Knife cleaning device Each time a tile is trimmed, a certain amount of clay may adhere to the knife. This material must be removed before the next trimming operation. This is accomplished by means of a stationary cleaning and oiling pad 155 which is mounted on a channel iron frame I51 bridging the space between the housings 35 and 3 6.

The pad l is situated directly in the path of the knife i 52 which upon reaching the upper extremity of its travel, as shown in phantom on Figure 8, completely surrounds it, any surplus material, therefore, which may be adhering to the knife, .is pushed free and falls below. A second function of the pad lad is to oil the knife at each contact therewith, and thus minimize the tendency of the clay to be picked up thereby. The pad 56 consists of upper and lower plates r58 and I59 respectively, separated by layers of felt H which are cut to form a hollow space in the center into which the oil is introduced by means of a filler plug ist. The oil maintains the felt [69 in a saturated condition which ensures a clean knife on each trimming stroke.

Op ration With reference to Figure 8, a slab of clay is deposited upon each lower die on the drum 92 when it reaches the position L. Rotation of the main shaft '51 causes the loaded die to advance to position P and the drum is locked in place by the locking mechanism as has been described heretofore. The pressing action then takes place, the interrupting and momentary reversing of the pressing action allowing any air, which may be trapped in the clay, to escape before the final pressure is app-lied. This feature ensures a solid product of uniform consistency. While a successive tile is being formed the preceding one is advanced to position T where it is trimmed as has been described, and is then discharged upon reaching position D. As loading, pressing, trimming and discharging are substantially simultaneous operations, it is possible to produce tiles with great rapidity, and the various novel features as described herein, all contribute to a uniform product of an extremely high grade.

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be understood that modifications may be made Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a tile molding machine having a die holder, in combination, a pair of opposed columns having confronting guide portions, a press comprising a housing slidably mounted between said columns and being restrained by said guide portions, a shaft rotatably mounted on said columns and passing through said housing, a roller mounted in said housing, a cam fixedly mounted on said shaft and being so constructed and arranged as to contact said roller and urge said housing along a path between said guide portions, a second roller mounted in said housing and a second cam fixedly mounted on said shaft and being so constructed and arranged as to contact said second roller and urge said housing along said path in a reverse direction.

2. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said second roller is adjusta'bly mounted in said housing.

JOSEPH PESSAGNG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 988,367 McHench Apr. i, 1911 1,796,570 Martin et a1 Mar. 17, l31 1,915,475 Richter June 27, 1933 1,937,028 Lux et a1 Nov. 28, 1933 

